Cabell Midland AFJROTC to stay active, improve enrollment

CABELL COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – The Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) at Cabell Midland High School will remain active for at least another year, according to Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV).

The program faced uncertainty after, in November 2023, the U.S. Air Force called for the program to be deactivated by the end of the school year due to “sustained low enrollment,” according to Cabell County School officials.

Dr. Ashley Stephens, with Cabell County Schools Media Relations, told WOWK 13 News at that time that CCS was filing a formal appeal to the airforce and reaching out to the state’s congressional delegation for support.

According to Cabell County Schools, the program at Cabell Midland High School started in 2017. He says while the students in the program have had “excellent” achievements and experiences, the program itself struggled to keep up with the enrollment requirements outlined by the federal government.

Miller says the AFJROTC was granted another year to achieve its enrollment goal. During this time, the program will work on implementing new recruiting strategies and ways to promote the AFJROTC.

“Cabell AFJROTC is a quality program that builds character and helps students develop new skills. I am grateful to Secretary Frank Kendall of the Air Force for honoring my request and allowing this program more time to recruit students who are committed to serving the United States of America,” said Miller.

The program’s enrollment goal is a minimum of 100 students. The program currently has 95 students enrolled, according to Miller. This means they will need to get a few more students involved, and fill the places of the students who will graduate this spring.

Cabell County Schools Superintendent Ryan Saxe says the program will work closely with both the Air Force and educators to work on increasing enrollment. He says this could include initiatives such as “sharing opportunities at feeder middle schools and exploring various means to attract and retain students,” and possibly more involvement with the Raider Program. According to Saxe, the Raider Program emphasizes endurance, strength and tactical skills, and he thinks the program’s meets and competitions will be interesting to students.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Congresswoman Carol Miller for their vital support and advocacy. Their efforts in interceding to the Air Force on our behalf have been instrumental in securing this extension. I feel certain that if it had not been for their involvement, we would not be celebrating this opportunity,” said Saxe.